Israeli forces kill Palestinian father on his way to take daughter to doctor

A Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces on Thursday in a raid on the occupied city of Halhoul, north of Hebron, the Palestinian health ministry announced.

Twenty-seven-year-old Mahmoud Ayhour, from Halhoul in the occupied West Bank, was hit in the stomach by a live bullet during the Israeli raid, his relatives said.

Martyrdom of 27 year old Mahmoud Ayhour. He was martyred after succumbing to his wounds sustained by the zionist occupation forces onslaught of Halhoul, north Hebron this morning.

Glory to the martyrs 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/OGWAXUHYni

— Lilith 🌺🫒🕊❤️‍🔥 (@LilithInJenin) June 9, 2022

"Israeli forces raided the city around 10:30am, at rush hour, when there is a maximum number of people on the streets," Jamal Abu Asbeh, the mayor of Halhoul told The New Arab.

"The Israeli soldiers took over some rooftops and fired rubber bullets and tear gas towards people. They were targeting a money exchange in the city centre, which the Israeli soldiers forced to close."

The mayor said some young men in the area confronted the Israeli soldiers with stones, who then fired live rounds at the Palestinian crowd.

A total of nine people were injured by live fire and rubber bullets, in addition to the killing of Ayhour.

Israeli occupation forces closed the Halhul Exchange Office in Halhoul town, north of Hebron. pic.twitter.com/gQ0ma1kmHY

— PALESTINE SUNBIRD 🇵🇸 (@SBPal_Eng) June 9, 2022

Israeli media quoted the Israeli army saying the business targeted in the raid was suspected of funding Hamas and soldiers confiscated the equivalent of $330,000 from the premises.

The Israeli military admitted to using gunfire and that "hits were identified".

Hijazi Miraeb, a relative of the victim, told The New Arab, that Ayhour was a construction worker and young father of a one-year-old daughter and a one-month-old boy.

This footage documents the moment when #Palestinian young man Mahmoud Fayez Abu Ayhour, 27, was shot dead by Israeli occupation forces in Halhul, south of the occupied West Bank, this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/GiIaojUUlz

— Wafa News Agency - English (@WAFANewsEnglish) June 9, 2022

"The raid happened at rush hour when employees were going to their offices and students were leaving end-of-year exams. The market was full of people," Miraeb said.

Ayhour was leaving work early to take his daughter to the doctor when he was killed, Miraeb added.

"He didn't take part in any confrontations, he just happened to be there," he said.

Palestinians mourn Mahmoud Fayez Abu Ayhour, 27, who was shot dead by Israeli occupation forces in Halhul, south of the occupied West Bank, this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/sKIPMtskwM

— Wafa News Agency - English (@WAFANewsEnglish) June 9, 2022

Hundreds of Palestinians took part in the funeral of Ayhour on Thursday afternoon.

In a show of mourning, a general strike was called in Halhoul until Saturday morning, with all official institutions closed and celebrations cancelled.

Mahmoud Ayhour is the 63rd Palestinian killed by Israeli forces in 2022.